National Volunteers' Week - Adrian's story

Community first responder (CFR), Adrian Gernham, has spoken of the satisfaction he gets from his role and pride at helping others.

Adrian Garnham, who joined Stutton and Holbrook First Responders in Suffolk nine years ago, said a legacy left to the group earlier this year from the grateful relatives of a patient he had attended had reminded him of the reasons why he loves his voluntary role so much.

Adrian was one of a team of medics called to an emergency in Holbrook in 2020. Despite everyone’s best efforts, the patient sadly died.

Adrian put the incident to the back of his mind until earlier this year, when the patient’s daughter contacted him to let him know her late mother had left a donation to a local charity in her will. Her family were so grateful for the first responder’s efforts that they chose the group to benefit, sending a cheque for £400 along with a letter which said:

“We are grateful for everyone’s efforts that day. We recognise that the First Responders do wonderful work and are happy to donate this money to enable you to help save other lives in the future.”

Adrian said:

“(After reading the letter) I sat there with a tear in my eye as the memories came flooding back. I then remembered the words of the doctor from the air ambulance, who told us that we had done everything that was humanly possible but it was not to be. This brought the feeling of pride back.

“Helping people was the reason I became a responder and I still feel the same today after nine years in the role.”

Published 5th June 2021